Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Best Books I Read In 2015

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is “Top Ten Best Books I Read In 2015.” This was a difficult list to compile, as I read a lot of great books this year. Some of the books have been around for a while, while others were new releases. All of these books either touched me, made me think, or did something to set themselves apart from the masses. Also, none of these books were read before, which is why Outlander, Catcher in the Rye, and Ready Player One didn’t make the list. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. So without further ado, here is my “Top Ten Best Books I Read In 2015.”

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1.)Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I loved this book! It’s a unique space story that’s part The Walking Dead, and part 2001: A Space Odyssey. The story of a genocide and subsequent murder spree is told through dossier reports, emails, and video surveillance. Along with that, readers get treated to loads of cool imagery, and outrageous uses of print. In one word Illuminae is mesmerizing.

2.) November 9 by Colleen Hoover

November 9 was the first book by Colleen Hoover I’ve ever read, and now I’m hooked on her writing. The love story is told from the dual perspectives of Fallon and Ben who meet one November 9th at a Los Angeles restaurant. After spending the day together they decided to meet up every year on November 9th for five years, and discuss how much they’ve grown as people and artists. What’s cool about this book is that like the characters, the reader has to wait for them to meet up on November 9th before we learn any more about what has happened during their year apart. Hoover’s writing is witty, and Fallon and Ben were two great characters to spend five year with.

3.) Winter (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer

I loved every book in this series, but I loved Winter the most. I loved that all of the characters had big roles to play in the final novel, and that while everything resolved in a way I appreciated, everything wasn’t neat and tidy. I appreciated Meyer doing that, because the characters stayed true to who they were, and didn’t conform to the fans’ expectations. Fan service is a nice idea, but in practice it isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Thanks Marissa Meyer, for taking me on this journey with you!

4.) Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Pierce Brown’s Red Rising was a fantastic suspense, science fiction, dystopian, horror, and political thriller novel all rolled into one. From the very first page I was glued to the story of Darrow, and how he wanted to overthrow the corrupt Empire that enslaved him. This story went to some dark places that made The Hunger Games pale in comparison. Not bad for a book considered to be a YA version of Game of Thrones.

5.) Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass) by Sarah J. Maas

I loved, loved, loved Throne of Glass as a series! Every book kept me riveted to the page, but Crown of Midnight is probably my favorite. Why? Because Celaena, Dorian, and Chaol’s actions in this novel reverberate through the rest of the series. The novel is filled with love, passion, friendship, betrayal, and horror. All of the character development that may have slowed down Throne of Glass was gone, and in it’s place was a fast-paced adventure that forever changed the characters’ lives.

6.) The Martian by Andy Weir

This book made me love space even more, and had me rolling with laughter from beginning to end. Mark Watney was the best protagonist to teach readers how to survive alone on Mars, and it was fun reading about his trials and tribulations. Weir paints beautifully imagery, and left me wondering if Watney’s actions could actually work if they were repeated in real life.

7.) Legend by Marie Lu

I love my dystopia, and Marie Lu’s Legend was another favorite read of 2015. June and Day’s romance seemed doomed from the start, but that’s partly why it was fascinating watching them try to find a way to be together. Everything was stacked against them: class, education, wealth. Plus, they had bigger things to worry about. Like uncovering the truth behind a shocking murder.

8.) Half Wild (Half Bad) by Sally Green

The first book in this series, Half Bad, is the one that actually sucked me in, but I loved Half Wild even more. Nathan went on a great journey in this novel from a man on the run to one who’s finally figured out who he is and what he wants. This series captivated me, because Sally Green doesn’t shy away from the subject matter of intolerance, racism, sexual identity, and abuse. Through the perilous lives of Nathan and the other witches, we get a glimpse of how these themes affect people, and cause harm.

9.) I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

This book is probably my favorite of 2015. Told from the dual perspectives of twins, in two different time lines: one moving forward, the other backwards, the readers get sucked into the mystery of how their relationship was destroyed. A touching story of family, friendship, and the things people will do to protect the ones they love.

10.) The Color Purple by Alice Walker

I tried to read this book when I was 8, which was too young, and scared me off the book for nearly 30 years. Strange considering the film is one of my all-time favorite movies. After reading the novel, I can now add the book as one of my favorite all-time books. The Color Purple is told through the eyes of Celie, a young black girl who grows to adulthood in the south during the early 1900’s. Through her eyes we see the world of that time, the hardships she endures, and the love she finds among friends and family. With scenes of abuse, rape, and violence, The Color Purple is a tough book to read at times, but the story is no less wonderful.